Three Douglas County students selected to march in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — Three Douglas County Schools marching band students have been selected to participate in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band (MGAMB) during the 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. 

ThunderRidge High School’s junior flute/piccolo player Katherine Whitmore and senior trumpet player Audra Marriott, along with Castle View High School senior trumpet player Austin Gorman were picked to represent Colorado. The MGAMB is made up of 185 musicians along with 40 color guard and dance members selected from each state across the country. 

The All-star band members were selected to their All-State, All Regional, and All District Bands. For these three band members, it was an opportunity they couldn’t pass up.

RELATED: 2 Colorado students chosen to represent the state in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

“It’s so great to be in New York and to just have the opportunity,” Marriott said. “Just to meet so many people from all over the country, it’s kind of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Marriott marched in the parade last year where she marched alongside giant helium balloons, celebrity flats and the nation’s top marching bands. Marriott said one of her favorite memories of last year was the friendships that she made with other band members.

“I can’t even describe it in words because it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Marriott said. “It was so fun to be in such a great band where we sounded so loud and just so big and be able to meet so many people that I otherwise would have never met.”

It will be the first time participating in the band for both Whitmore and Gorman. Both are looking forward to the opportunity to perform in Herald Square.

“I’m just really happy I get to have this experience,” Whitmore said. “I’m most excited about meeting new flute players from around the country because I’m the only flute player from Colorado going.”

“I’m just really looking forward to the community that I’ll make there,” added Gorman. “It’s definitely something that you have to take a second and think, ‘Wow, I’m part of this small percentage of people in the nation that is at this level.’”

They’ll be stepping off from Central Park and marching along a parade route with 3 million spectators expected to line the streets. The parade will end at Macy’s Herald Square with a grandstand audience and more than 50 million TV viewers watching live on NBC.

“It goes by so fast,” Marriott said. “The Macy’s Great American Marching Band is so much fun. It’s the biggest marching band I’ve ever marched in.”

Since Marriott marched in the parade last year, she had some words of wisdom for her bandmates.

“I’ve given them some advice about memorizing the music ahead of time instead of right before,” Marriott said. “It is very exhausting; I’ve never been so tired in my life, but it is worth it.”

The parade is the official kickoff to the holiday season and all three said they’re excited to be part of the tradition.

“I hope to really take away some new friends and new connections I have from around the world,” Whitmore said. “I’m just really excited for the parade, and I think everyone should watch it.”

For more information about MGAMB, click here.